TITLE:Microprocessor Design
and Development for the US Navy F14 FighterJet

ABSTRACT:
The commercial microprocessor has been credited as invented
by Intel Corp with the introduction of the 4004 in 1972. However, quietly
leading up to this development were many attempts to put more and more
computer logic onto silicon chips. Most of these attempts were only paper
designs. The F14 Central Air Data Computer (CADC) was one attempt that
accomplished its goal and pushed the technology envelope beyond what was
expect in the late 60s. Not only did it put the first programmable
central processor units onto large-scale silicon, it did it in a hostile
military environment. The computer design features of the CADC were many,
including math co-processing, parallel processing, execution pipelining,
built-in programmed self-test and redundacy, while yet accomplishing the
rigorous requirements of controlling the F14 airplane during combat fighting.
A difficult three-year development cycle resulted in the first fly-by-wire
flight computer. Shrouded in secrecy for over 30 years, this accomplishment
was not publically known until 1998 at which time, at the request of Mr.
Ray Holt, the US Navy allowed the documents into the public domain. Since
then many debates have argued that this was, in fact, the first microprocessor.

BIO:
Mr. Ray Holt a graduate of California Polytechnical University in 1968
began his computer design career with the F14 CADC. As a microprocessor
designer for American MicroSystem he helped develop microprocessor designs
for calculators and many other commercial applications. Co-founding Microcomputer
Associates, Inc. in 1974 he designed several early microcomputers systems
including the JOLT and SYM, as well as the first microprocessor controlled
pin ball game, many industrial control applications, and inspired the
first Radio Shack computer. Mr. Holt continued his career as an Engineering
Vice-President for Honeywell Corp, and, since 1980, a software distributor,
computer retailer, and systems integrator for his own company, Cornerstone
Computers. Currently, Mr. Holt is heavily involved in Internet Marketing
and Promotion. Mr Holt has a B.S. degree in Electronic Engineering from
Cal Poly and a M.S. degree in Computer Science from Santa Clara University.